Twining Valley Land Use Feasibility Study CMC Engineering | F.X - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Twining Valley Land Use Feasibility Study

CMC Engineering | F.X Browne & Associates | Recreation Planning Associates | Kurt Baker | Shearon Golf

Meeting Overview

• 1. Introduce committee members
• 2. Project goals and objectives
• 3. Background information
• Study input
• Community engagement
• 4. Master Plan
• 5. Funding opportunities

The Project Team

CMC ENGINEERING

Engineering, Landscape Architecture & Planning

F.X Browne & Associates

Environmental Engineering Services

Recreation Planning Associates Kurt Baker PRP

Park & Recreation Consultants

Shearon Golf

Golf Course Architects

RPA

Derek Dureka, Director, Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation Debbie Blum, Env. Protection Advisory Board & Resident Joe Chmielewski, School District of Upper Dublin Sonny Keane, Open Space Advisory Group Sue Lohoefer, School District of Upper Dublin Elaine Lucas, Zoning Hearing Board Steve Olsen, Resident Jerry Rock, Resident Steve Stone, Shade Tree Commission Bruce Smith, Golf Enthusiast & Resident Janet Wallace, Local Real Estate Agent

Project Introduction

Goals & Objectives

The primary goals of the Twining Valley Land Use Feasibility Study are to:

• Develop a plan that offers the highest and

best level of recreation for the community

• Develop a plan that provides the

Commissioners with the information needed to make an informed decision for the end use of the property

• Current golf course lease expires in

YR2019

• Develop a plan that maximizes access and

usability for all township residents.

• The golf course represents 18% of

the township’s open space

• The course currently has limited

access

Background Information

Project Area Context

Existing Golf Facility

THE SITE

• Visually engaging property with a variety of existing eco-

systems worth preserving

• Stormwater management is a prime concern
• Bisected property is a design challenge

THE BUILDING

• Poorly constructed and maintained
• Difficult to adapt to new and varied uses
• Continued renovations are not recommended

Existing Facility Amenities

THE GOLF COURSE

• Lacks ample land, poorly maintained and is unsafe for play
• Antiquated irrigation system
• Number of rounds has greatly declined over the past years
• Current operating contract expires in 2019

THE FITNESS CENTER

• Adapted from previous interior space usage
• Produced revenues that offset some of the course’s losses
• Had recently lost memberships due to poor conditions

Golf Summary Report

A study was performed of the existing golf course, analyzing long term viability and identifying necessary improvements; key study findings are listed below:. Course safety:

• Twining Road poses a large safety hazard for five (5) holes
• Internal cart path locations conflict with the golfers on nine (9) holes

Irrigation:

• Less than 20% of the required water for irrigation is provided by the existing ponds
• Greens and tee boxes are irrigated; fairways are not irrigated
• Difficult to maintain a fairway areas without adequate water sources

Sand Traps & Bunkers:

• All are in poor condition; not adequately drained

Tees:

• Condition is poor
• Many are undersized or require updating

Total estimated cost to rehabilitate the existing golf course: $1.5 million And will require significant ongoing

• perating funds to maintain the

investment

Public Participation

• Bi-monthly committee meeting for over a year
• Mailed paper surveys
• Mailed 2,398 surveys (25% of township)
• Received 961 surveys (40% return rate)
• On-line survey
• Received 376 surveys
• Three public meetings
• Received comments on (3) concept plans
• Key person interviews
• On-line opinion forum
• Elected official meetings

Public Participation Program

The Twining Valley Master Plan

Restore, Grow, Transform

Restore Restore

• Preserve the course as

public open space, accessible to all residents

• Remove all golf course

related improvements

• Connect existing paved

trail system to allow complete access to the site

Restoration cost ‐ $650,000

Grow Grow

Enhance the newly preserved land as a ecology park that will be permanently available for future generations

Develop Riparian Corridors Establish a Lowland Forest Develop Open Meadows Establish a Successional Forest Establish a Native Plant Arboretum

Grow Grow continued….. continued…..

Expand existing ponds

• Control stormwater
• Wildlife enhancement
• Aesthetics

Create wetlands and waterfalls with accessible boardwalks and bridges

• Manage stormwater
• Increase plant and wildlife diversity
• Public education

Grow Grow continued….. continued…..

Create off‐road Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails Enhance existing sledding slopes Further develop the trail system for multi‐use

Grow Grow continued….. continued…..

Colonist ship Create an ecological sensitive Natural Playscape Tricycle Path Art Wall Dinosaur Bone Archeology Dig Kids can get dirty and interact with their environment

Natural Playground

Grow Grow continued….. continued…..

Life Size Chess Game Build a pavilion/gathering space

• A place for the community to congregate
• Exercise area
• Area for special events

Toy Boating Life Size Scrabble Seasonally changing program space

Pavilion Gathering area

Cost to grow ‐ $5.35 million

Tr Transform

Potential Community Space and/or Library 15,000 – 50,000 SF Expanded parking with bio‐swales, porous paving and native plantings Potential Municipal Storage Space 10,000 – 40,000 SF Consider a green roof and/or solar panels for any proposed structure

Funding?

The total projected cost of the new park facility is: $6,000,000 One of the largest concerns for the success of this project is how will the construction be funded? The Committee and Municipal Staff are committed to acquiring funding from well‐ established programs:

• County Conservation and Recreation Program
• CFA (Commonwealth Financing Authority) Flood Mitigation Program (Up to $500,000 available)
• CFA Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (Maximum of $250,000 available)
• DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEP Environmental Education Grants Program
• DEP Growing Greener Watershed Protection Grants
• Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund (Average grant amount of $150,000)
• National Audubon Society (Average Grant amount is $3,000)
• CFA Watershed Restoration and Protection Program
• PENNVEST Watershed Education Grants (Up to $11 million available for one municipality, up to $20 million for

multiple municipalities)

If the township were to fund the entire 6 million dollar park improvement, the yearly household cost would amount to $38 dollars per year (Over 20‐years).

The Next Steps

• 1. Master Plan Presentation to the Commissioners

(February 9, 2016)

• 2. Final Committee Meeting (February 23, 2016)
• 3. Presentation of the Final Study to the

Commissioners (March 8, 2016)

The Commissioners may/may not accept the study at their March 8th Meeting If accepted, a decision on the future of the golf course may not be made until after the management lease expires in YR2019 The study will simply serve as a guide to the Commissioners when the golf course lease expires.

Questions & Answers

CMC Engineering | F.X Browne & Associates | Recreation Planning Associates | Kurt Baker | Shearon Golf